Timeline
January 1-15: Applications accepted for 20 Bridges, 40 Bridges, Ederle-Burke, and 8 Bridges marathon events.
January 31: Dates for 20 Bridges, 40 Bridges, Ederle-Burke, and 8 Bridges marathon events are assigned.
February 14: Deposit due (USD $750).*
April 15: Full entry fees due for swims through August.
May 1: Crew registration deadline.
May 15: Full entry fees due for swims in September or later.
- Stage 1: Friday, June 12
- Stage 2: Saturday, June 13
- Stage 3: Sunday, June 14
- Stage 4: Monday, June 15
- Stage 5: Tuesday, June 16
- Stage 6: Wednesday, June 17
- Stage 7: Thursday, June 18
*The planning process imposes considerable expense to NYOW. Therefore, we are unable to issue refunds of the $750 deposit after the deposit deadline due to cancellation for any reason.
Fees and Withdrawal Policy
The cost for the full 8 Bridges 2026 (all 7 stages) is TBD. In 2025, the cost was $18,600 per solo; $9,650 per swimmer for a two-person tandem. The 2026 cost for a single stage during the event week is $2,800 per solo; $1,450 per swimmer for a two-person tandem. In 2026, there will also be solo stages available at dates TBD in August, September, or October. There is no cost to apply. Payments are due according to the payment schedule detailed in the Timeline, above. Note that each stage in the June event is contingent on having a minimum field of two swimmers or one solo swimmer and one tandem pair.
Entry fees include a dedicated support boat (RHIB), paddler (or two paddlers for tandems), observer, and GPS tracking. Swimmers must provide their own support crew for the escort boat; all crew must be older than 16 years. Solo swimmers may have one or two individuals as crew. Tandem pairs must have one crew person (only). Note that NYOW does not provide any land-based transportation for swimmers, crew, or any other participants.
Swimmers who withdraw for any reason may be eligible for a partial refund, as follows:
- Withdrawal up until 2 weeks before the assigned date swim: If the withdrawing swimmer’s spot can be filled from the waitlist or by a late entry, the swimmer gets a full refund minus the $750 deposit. If the swimmer cannot be replaced, NYOW will retain $1,500 and refund the difference.
- Withdrawal between 13 and 3 days of the assigned swim date: If the withdrawing swimmer’s spot can be filled from the waitlist or by a late entry, the swimmer gets a full refund minus $1,200. If the swimmer cannot be replaced, NYOW will retain $2,000 and refund the difference.
- Withdrawal within 3 days of the assigned swim date: No refund is available.
Swim slots are NOT transferable to any other future seasons.
8 Bridges Hudson River Swim, the longest marathon swim in the world, is an epic swimming odyssey that celebrates the mighty Hudson and New York Harbor.
From the peaceful Catskills to the dramatic Narrows, at the throat of the New York Harbor, intrepid swimmers cover 120 miles of the Hudson River’s great stream.
For one week, each day’s marathon swim begins with the ebb tide at one bridge and ends at the next, covering distances ranging from 13.2 miles to 19.8 miles. Swimmers can participate as solos or relays in one to all of the seven stages.
The swim strings together the Rip Van Winkle | Kingston-Rhinecliff | Mid-Hudson | Newburgh-Beacon | Bear Mountain | Cuomo Bridge | George Washington | Verrazano Narrows Bridges.
8 Bridges partners with Riverkeeper to promote the health and enjoyment of the Hudson River.
8 Bridges Event Info
8 Bridges Results
8 Bridges BLOG & Social Media
Swimmer Testimonials
FAQS
8 Bridges Navigation Maps
Introducing the 8 Bridges
Environment of the Hudson River Valley
